The Arithmetic of Compassion: How Psychology, Literature Help Explain Response to Pandemic
April 16, 2021
This podcast of “Public Health on Call” hosted by Colleen Barry and produced by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health was posted on April 16.
There are psychological and cognitive obstacles to compassion, especially against an invisible virus. Dr. Paul Slovic, a psychology professor at the University of Oregon, and his son Dr. Scott Slovic, a literature professor at the University of Idaho talk with guest host Dr. Colleen Barry about the psychic numbing that occurs when considering large-scale crisis like genocide, climate change, and COVID-19. They also discuss pandemic literature and what it’s like to work together as father and son from two seemingly different disciplines. Listen to the podcast.
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to nearly 11,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu